PANews February 5th News, the a16z crypto team stated that as AI systems scale up, the internet lacks a native way to distinguish humans from machines, and trust systems face challenges, while blockchain technology can provide solutions. The article summarizes the following five key roles:
Enhancing the cost of AI impersonation: By using decentralized human identity verification systems (such as World ID), limit the scale of fake identities and increase attack costs. Decentralized identity verification: Blockchain empowers users with control over their own identities, avoiding single points of failure in centralized identity systems, while protecting privacy and resistance to censorship. Creating universal “passports”: Blockchain-based identity layers enable AI agents to operate across platforms, carrying permissions and payment information, improving interoperability and preventing lock-in effects. Supporting machine-scale payments: Utilizing blockchain micro-payments and smart contracts to achieve low-cost, fine-grained payment distribution, supporting economic activities between machines. Enhancing privacy protection: Through zero-knowledge proofs, users can verify their identities without revealing specific data, preventing AI from abusing information for impersonation.
a16z believes that blockchain is a necessary infrastructure for building an AI-native internet, capable of restoring trust and supporting the healthy development of AI systems.